Trafalgar Square commemorates the British naval victory at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. Designed by John Nash and Sir Charles Barry in the 1820s and 1830s, it stands on the former site of the King’s Mews. Today, it is London’s primary location for political demonstrations and celebrations. Originally the site of the Royal Mews it housed the king’s hawks and later the royal horses and carriages
In the 1820s John Nash transformed the area into an open public space as part of a grand metropolitan redevelopment.
On its north side, the National Gallery was added in 1838 and the Nelson Column was erected between 1840–1843, honoring Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson who died during his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. The 52-meter (170 ft) Corinthian column is guarded by four giant bronze lions, sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer, added in 1868
Architect Sir Charles Barry finalized the design of the square, including the stone terraces and the original fountains.
The church of St Martin in the Fields (in the photograph below) predates the square by around one hundred years, having been built in the 1720’s to the design of James Gibbs.
